This is a soft covered book, measuring 9-inches by 11 ½-inches and has 56 pages. From page 6 through 55 there are sketches and illustrations, except for one page which has a photo of a monument dedicated to six Milton, Massachusetts firefighters and two police officers who gave their lives in the line-of-duty to the city. This book is the product of an idea put forth by Lieutenant Brian Doherty to Nathan R. Murphy, encouraging him to write this book while he secured the rights to use the artwork in the book that was done by Firefighter William Hick, Nathan’s great, great Grandfather.

William Hicks was a very talented firefighter and person. He served the city of Milton’s fire department for the first four decades of the 20th century. He was part of the transition of volunteers to career firefighters and from horse drawn to steam engines. He sketched illustrations of all aspects of being a firefighter, from fighting fires, responding to rescues and other emergencies, to firehouse life, social events, duties and what have you. Many, if not most of the sketches are of actual calls with the likes of actual firefighters who responded. Many locations are named and the nature of the call described.

The days of old are well represented and it is an education to anyone interested in history. Modern day firehouse life and firefighting are a light-year difference from much of what you will view on these pages. It is an enjoyable look of yesteryear, but sometimes sad when tragedy results. Nathan used this book as an Eagle Scout project. Lieutenant Doherty is the current president of the Milton Historical Society and helped to establish the Milton Firefighter Memorial Archives.